Welcome to
Shif and Friends
Empowering youth through community service, friendship, and positive change. Join us in making a difference in our community, one project at a time.
About Shif and Friends
We are a passionate group of young people dedicated to making a positive impact in our community through service, friendship, and meaningful projects.
Our Mission
Shif and Friends is dedicated to making community impact simple, accessible, and meaningful. We connect people with trusted opportunities to volunteer and donate, bringing together nonprofits, organizations, and individuals in one place. Our mission is to remove the barriers to giving back—so instead of struggling to find where to start, people can focus on what truly matters: making a difference.
Beyond connecting people with opportunities, we also empower individuals to start their own initiatives, turning ideas into action and helping them create lasting change in their communities.
Through our various projects and initiatives, we provide opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to causes they care about.
Our Services
We help you launch, grow, and promote — free promotion for your events and fundraisers, hands-on setup help, and practical consulting to accelerate impact.
Free Promotion
We'll promote your events and fundraisers for free across our channels to boost visibility and attendance.
- Social amplification on Instagram and Facebook
- Event calendar placement and highlights
- Community cross-promotion and outreach
Fundraiser Setup
We assist in starting and setting up your own fundraisers end-to-end so you can focus on impact.
- Campaign strategy and goals
- Donation platform setup and copy
- Launch planning and timeline
Organization Setup
From idea to launch — we help set up your organization with practical steps and best practices.
- Foundational structure and tooling
- Branding and messaging guidance
- Volunteer onboarding flows
Growth Consulting
Consulting on growing your company/organization — from playbooks to partnerships to scale responsibly.
- Audience growth and engagement
- Partnerships and collaboration
- Programs that retain participants
End-to-End Support
Everything in between — from creating your company to getting people to join and show up.
- Recruiting and community building
- Event design and execution
- Continuous improvement loops
Club Support
We help you create, grow, and expand clubs in your school and beyond — from initial setup to multi-school networks.
- Club formation and registration guidance
- Growth strategies and member engagement
- Expansion planning to other schools
Our Projects
Discover some of the meaningful projects we're working on to create positive change in our community. Every contribution makes a difference.
Featured Project
Support Bar-Ilan's Student-Soldiers' Return
ActiveThe fund helps IDF soldiers transition from active duty back to school and higher education, providing crucial support during this important transition.
Generational Bridges
ActiveBuilding meaningful connections between different generations through music, arts, and shared experiences that foster understanding, friendship, and community bonds across age groups.
Support Bar-Ilan's Student-Soldiers' Return
ActiveProviding comprehensive support and resources to help IDF soldiers successfully transition from active military duty back to academic life and higher education pursuits.
Project SeeShell
ActiveEmpowering communities through innovative programs and initiatives that create lasting positive change, focusing on environmental awareness and sustainable community development.
The Pink Shield Project
ActiveDedicated to providing essential support, resources, and advocacy for individuals and families facing challenging circumstances, creating a protective network of care and assistance.
Upcoming Events
Join us at our upcoming events and be part of the positive change we're creating in our community. Every event is an opportunity to make new friends and make a difference.
Upcoming Events
Provide Free Showers for Unhoused New Yorkers
Friday, September 4, 2026
Ensure equitable hygiene access for unhoused New Yorkers by supporting a free shower program. Greet and escort guests, organize and distribute supplies, and help with basic cleaning tasks including laundry.
Serve Lunch and Socialize with Older Adults
Friday, September 4, 2026
Serve lunch to visually impaired older adults.
Rescue Good Food from Becoming Waste
Friday, September 4, 2026
Rescue food before it's tossed in the trash. Transport your treasures from a Union Square bakery to a local shelter.
Pack and Serve Freshly Made Meals
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Work with a small, dynamic team to prepare freshly made meals in-house, both breakfast and lunch. and serve the freshly prepared breakfast to clients during distribution!
Event Spotlight
Provide Free Showers for Unhoused New Yorkers
Join Our Team
Ready to make a difference? Join our amazing team of volunteers and help us create positive change in our community. Every contribution matters!
Why Volunteer With Us?
Build Lasting Friendships
Connect with like-minded young people who share your passion for making a difference.
Develop Leadership Skills
Gain valuable experience in project management, teamwork, and community organizing.
Make Real Impact
See the direct positive effects of your work on individuals and the community.
Learn New Skills
Develop practical skills in communication, organization, and community engagement.
Meet Our Team
Get to know the passionate individuals behind Shif and Friends who are dedicated to making a positive impact in our community.
Gregory Shif
Founder and President
Leads Shif and Friends with infectious energy and inspiring vision. Gregory builds meaningful partnerships, orchestrates impactful events, and empowers his team while fostering collaboration and growth.
LinkedInSaajan Parekh
Community Outreach Director
Builds bridges between our organization and the broader community, establishing partnerships with local businesses, schools, and other nonprofits to expand our impact and reach.
LinkedInDavid Gladkovitser
Head of Fundraising
Leads our financial assistance programs and fundraising initiatives, ensuring we can provide maximum support to those in need while securing sustainable funding for our community projects.
Olivia Tetsoti
Vice President
Oversees daily operations management, coordinates social media strategy and community engagement, while maintaining our health and wellness initiatives and connecting community members with essential resources.
Joaquim Hawken
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation
Spearheads our outreach initiatives to startups and emerging community projects, fostering strategic partnerships that amplify our impact and create innovative solutions for community challenges.
LinkedInDavid Shif
Community Outreach Director
Focuses on keeping volunteers active, motivated, and coming back. Checks in on volunteers and makes sure people feel part of a community, fostering long-term engagement and building meaningful connections within our volunteer network.
Get In Touch
Have questions about our projects? Want to get involved? Need support? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out and let's start a conversation.
Tell Us How We Can Help You
We want to make sure we're meeting the needs of our community. Share with us how Shif and Friends can best support you and your family.
Fill Out Our Community SurveyVisit Us
Come to our community events
Various locations throughout
the community
Response Time
We typically respond within
24-48 hours
Follow Our Journey
🚀 Twitter and LinkedIn coming soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I volunteer?
Fill out our volunteer application form above, or attend one of our community events to learn more about current opportunities and how to get involved.
What age groups can participate?
We welcome volunteers of all ages! Most of our programs are designed for youth 13-25, but we have opportunities for younger participants with parent involvement.
How are donations used?
All donations go directly to funding our community projects, supplies for events, and supporting families in need. We maintain full transparency in our financial reporting.
Can organizations partner with us?
Absolutely! We're always looking for partnerships with schools, businesses, and other nonprofits. Contact us to discuss collaboration opportunities.